Mango sticky rice: sweet dessert made with fresh fruit and coconut-flavored rice This is generally a seasonal dish, when mangoes are freely available. It's definitely a dessert, since it's got sweetened rice and ripe mangoes. It's a nice combo because you've got the soft chewiness of the sticky rice paired with juicy fruit. I also like the coconut flavoring of the milk, which gives it a tropical taste. Here's a recipe to make mango sticky rice at home. Fun fact: In Malaysia, they have a … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday First: Taiwanese Puff Dessert
January 15, 2016 4 Comments
Well, I'm back from my trip to Taiwan, and I got to try this sweet treat! Taiwanese puff dessert: hollow, sweet ball Okay, so I'm not exactly sure what the real name of the dessert is, but it's known for its poofy appearance. There is a hollow cavity, but it has a slight molasses filling that clings to the inside of the pastry. The outside has a subtle flaky texture that crumbles easily. It's not an overly sweet dessert, but there's the hint of sugar that makes you crave more. … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday First: Beignet
May 22, 2015 2 Comments
Ooh la la! I finally ate my first... Beignet: a French doughnut (French-American writer, Evelyne Holingue: This post is for you!) This deep-fried doughnut isn't like the typical American version. It's not spherical and doesn't have a hole in the middle. Instead, it's square-shaped and has a dusting of powdered sugar on top. People often eat it for breakfast, but I ate mine as a dessert. It's very sweet and hits the spot after a meal, especially when it's piping hot from the fryer! I've … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday First: Loganberry Pie
April 10, 2015 6 Comments
Over the summer, I visited Whidbey Island near Seattle and tried out... Loganberry pie: a delicious pie filled with dark-colored berries I ate at Whidbey Pies & Cafe, which has a farm attached to it. Fresh organic produce is grown on the spot and served to customers (their quinoa salad is amazing). For dessert, I debated on getting the more literary huckleberry pie, but then opted for their specialty, loganberry pie. Here's a recipe for it from Bobby Flay. I loved the tart taste of … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Red Bean Cookie
November 21, 2014 2 Comments
Red bean cookie: pastry-like treat with sweet red bean paste inside C is for cookie! Around the time I was immersed in Sesame Street, I decided to follow in the footsteps of my favorite blue-furred monster. I cracked open our cookbook to create snickerdoodles. Alas, I wasn't allowed to use the oven, so I substituted the microwave instead. A shout-out to my brother who tried those rock-hard sweets and even managed to swallow a few pieces without breaking his teeth! Thankfully, I soon learned … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Green Tea Cake
March 14, 2014 7 Comments
Green tea cake: the beverage turned into a delicious cake Here's my tried and true way of celebrating: Cake! (Want a reason to party? How about my book as a finalist for Book of the Year Award?) Not just any type of cake will satisfy my cravings. My go-to is green tea cake. It's not too sweet, and I can indulge while convincing myself I'm stocking up on antioxidants. A swirl of whipped cream adds a hint of sweetness to this traditional … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Taiwan Toast
October 25, 2013 3 Comments
Taiwan toast: sliced bread, with your choice of topping Imagine the fluffiest, whitest bread you can find--and that's Taiwan toast. It boasts a thick, square form that's extremely soft (even the crusts melt in your mouth). True to its name, you pop it into the toaster to get it the proper crispy golden brown. Then the spread goes on top, things like Nutella, peanut butter, or anything your heart desires. In fact, it has been elevated into an art form of a dessert. I tried this kind at a local … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Green Tea Mousse
July 5, 2013 2 Comments
Green tea mousse: a smooth, tea-flavored dessert The picture says it all. Green tea mousse is the Asian version of the mousse dessert. It has a sweet taste with a touch of the earthy bitterness of green tea to counterbalance the sugar. The white chocolate rectangle and fresh fruit also serve to round out the taste. … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Mochi
June 7, 2013 1 Comment
Mochi: a glutinous rice dessert with sweet filling Mochi skin has a certain chewy texture that exudes tenderness and firmness at the same time. It was an acquired taste for me to bite into something that had two opposing characteristics. The Japanese version of this treat offers different varieties, including some with a more pastry-like exterior. The ones I tried in Little Tokyo are also very elegantly decorated, with a sprinkling of sesame seeds or a colorful flower. By contrast, the … [Read more...]
Foodie Friday: Almond Tofu
March 29, 2013 Leave a Comment
Almond Tofu: a white jello with a nutty taste Almond tofu. The easiest Chinese-y dessert you can make in a jiffy. Grab a box from the local Asian store (or grocery aisle), and follow the directions. The instant mix results in an opaque, almond-flavored jello. Almond tofu is a misnomer because there are no soybeans involved in the recipe. Also, apricot kernels (a.k.a. southern Chinese almonds) are used for the flavor. It packs an intense earthy kick, so I recommend combining it with fruit … [Read more...]
